Maryland-based Bethesda Game Studios employees vote to unionize

BETHESDA, Md. (DC News Now) — Employees at Bethesda Game Studios – the company behind award-winning games such as “Skyrim” and the “Fallout” series – voted to unionize, joining the Communications Workers of America (CWA),

The workers, consisting of 241 developers, signed a union authorization card or indicated they wanted union representation, according to CWA. Microsoft recognized the union, making it the first wall-to-wall union at a Microsoft video game studio.

“We are so excited to announce our union at Bethesda Game Studio and join the movement sweeping across the video game industry. It is clear that every worker can benefit from bringing democracy into the workplace and securing a protected voice on the job,” stated Bethesda Game Studios’ Senior System Designer, Mandi Parker, in a press release.

“We’re thrilled to get down to brass tacks and win a fair contract, proving that our unity is a source of real power to positively shape our working conditions, our lives, and the company as a whole,” she continued.

The workers are joining CWA Locals 2108 in Maryland and 6215 in Texas.

Bethesda Game Studios workers in Montreal also filed for union recognition with the Quebec Labor Relations Board just last month, and will be represented by CWA Canada.

The studio has locations in Bethesda, Quebec, Austin, Texas and Dallas, Texas. Its newest game, “Starfield,” garnered 10 million players within three weeks of its release in 2023, according to the company.